She's more than 6,000 miles from home, suffering a bit in the humidity and surviving on just a few hours sleep each night but Kensington resident - and beauty pageant hopeful - Jamie-Lee Williams is fighting fit for Sunday's Miss Earth final.

Jamie-Lee, 22, of Philimore Court, Kensington High Street, has been in the Philippines for three weeks undergoing an exhausting promotional schedule for Miss Earth with the 84 other beauty pageant contestants from across the world.

It is the first time the teaching assistant at Queensmill Primary School in Parsons Green has been away without friends or family, but she says the comeraderie among the contestants - and the beautiful sights and sounds of the island archipelago - have kept her spirits high.

"There's no catiness here, everyone genuinely gets on which helps when we're dashing around doing all these events, photocalls and fashion shows," says Jamie-Lee, who is representing her native Wales at the pageant.

But it's not been all work and the pageant hopefuls have been treated like royalty throughout their stay.

"I've had the chance to go snorkelling, trekking and see the poorer areas of Manilla. It's been an amazing, eye-opening experience and the people are incredibly friendly - Miss Earth is a big thing here and people just come up to you to hold your hand or have a picture taken. It's like being a celebrity," she adds.

But there is a serious side to the catwalking. Miss Earth is billed as 'Beauties with a Cause', and alongside their physical attributes, each of the girls must demonstrate a talent for saving the environment.

Jamie-Lee, who has a pyschology degree, teaches children with autism and is keen to help them understand the importance of green living.

Her Green Goddess credentials include developing eco-programmes for schools including lessons on the need to recycle.

But will it be enough to see her into the top prizes on finals night?

"It better be, because the other girls are so tall and beautiful that I don't have a chance otherwise!"